Electrode clamping system for sink-type electrical discharge machines

Abstract

An electrode clamping system for an EDM-sinking system provides a two-sided dielectric fluid supply to a clamped electrode by placing supply channels in both the fixed and movable parts of the electrode clamping holder. An automatic control circuit controls the flow of the dielectric fluid with reference to a contamination particle concentration in the gap between the electrode and the workpiece, and automatically reduces the flow to a value at which electrode vibrations disappear when changing from rough machining to fine machining.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An electrode clamping system for a sinking electrical discharge machine (EDM), said system comprising an adjustable holder for clamping an electrode, and including at least one chamber for supplying dielectric fluid, with said at least one chamber feeding into and terminating in a plurality of nozzles each of which directs a flow of the dielectric fluid laterally into a gap between the electrode and a workpiece, 
       wherein a dielectric fluid pressure and flow of the dielectric fluid are controlled by an automatic control circuit, the dielectric fluid flow being controlled with reference to a contamination particle concentration in the gap between the electrode and the workpiece.  
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein when a transition from rough to fine machining is made by the machine, said control circuit automatically reduces the dielectric fluid flow to a value such that electrode vibrations caused by the dielectric fluid supply cease. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein said system includes at least two of said chambers and each of said chambers feeds into and terminates in a corresponding one of said nozzles. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 3 , wherein when a transition from rough to fine machining is made by the machine, said control circuit automatically reduces the dielectric fluid flow to a value such that electrode vibrations caused by the dielectric fluid supply cease. 
     
     
       5. An electrode clamping system for a sinking electrical discharge machine (EDM), said system comprising an adjustable holder for clamping an electrode in a position such that there exists a gap between a clamped electrode and a workpiece to be machined by the EDM, and said holder including: 
       a basic part having a dielectric fluid feed pipe that splits a supply of dielectric fluid into first and second components;  
       a fixed part having a first supply channel and a first nozzle, said feed pipe feeding the first component of dielectric fluid into said first supply channel and said first supply channel supplying the first component of dielectric fluid to said first nozzle;  
       a flexible part having a second supply channel and a second nozzle, said feed pipe feeding the second component of dielectric fluid into said second supply channel and said second supply channel supplying the second component of dielectric fluid to said second nozzle,  
       said first and second nozzles being opposed to each other to provide a lateral symmetrical supply of the dielectric fluid into the gap on both sides of the clamped electrode; and  
       a control for actuating movement of said flexible part in order to clamp an electrode in position between said flexible part and said fixed part.  
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 5 , said control is a button. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 5 , wherein each of said first and second supply channels includes a respective supply chamber terminating in the respective nozzle, said supply chambers being symmetrical to each other. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 7 , further comprising an automatic control circuit for controlling a pressure of the dielectric fluid and in turn a flow of the dielectric fluid, the flow being controlled with reference to a contamination particle concentration in the gap between the electrode and the workpiece. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 8 , further comprising an automatic control circuit for controlling a pressure of the dielectric fluid and in turn a flow of the dielectric fluid, said control circuit automatically reducing the flow to a value at which vibrations of the clamped electrode caused by the supply of the dielectric fluid disappear at a moment of transition from rough machining to fine machining. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 7 , further comprising an automatic control circuit for controlling a pressure of the dielectric fluid and in turn a flow of the dielectric fluid, said control circuit automatically reducing the flow to a value at which vibrations of the clamped electrode caused by the supply of the dielectric fluid disappear at a moment of transition from rough machining to fine machining. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 5 , further comprising an automatic control circuit for controlling a pressure of the dielectric fluid and in turn a flow of the dielectric fluid, the flow being controlled with reference to a contamination particle concentration in the gap between the electrode and the workpiece. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 11 , further comprising an automatic control circuit for controlling a pressure of the dielectric fluid and in turn a flow of the dielectric fluid, said control circuit automatically reducing the flow to a value at which vibrations of the clamped electrode caused by the supply of the dielectric fluid disappear at a moment of transition from rough machining to fine machining. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 5 , further comprising an automatic control circuit for controlling a pressure of the dielectric fluid and in turn a flow of the dielectric fluid, said control circuit automatically reducing the flow to a value at which vibrations of the clamped electrode caused by the supply of the dielectric fluid disappear at a moment of transition from rough machining to fine machining.